Your lungs are filled with plenty of air sacs and if there is any infection causing swelling of air sacs, it is known as pneumonia. The air sacs are filled with pus like fluid or mucus or phlegm making it difficult for you to breathe. Bacteria and virus are the main organisms that cause pneumonia. Infants and old aged people are more prone to get this infection than healthy adults, since they have weakened immunity. It is easy to treat pneumonia since plenty of good medications are available.
Pneumonia Symptoms :
Pneumonia signs may vary from mild to very serious depending on the organism that has caused infection. Symptoms also vary with respect to the age of the person, his immunity status and general health condition. It begins as mild fever, chills with sweating. After some days the person will cough persistently producing thick phlegm or mucus. Some people of old age may report chest pain and difficulty in breathing. Chest pain may get worse when the person tries to cough or take a long breathe. It may cause fatigue and body pain. In certain cases, it can cause nausea and vomiting.
Newborn or infants will not show any indication of pneumonia but they would be restless or looking tired. They may develop mild fever or look energy less most of the time. They will refuse to take food due to breathing difficulty. It is important to visit your doctor if your child has one or more of the above symptoms.
Who Are At Risk?
People with weakened immunity (infants, children and old aged) and people with underlying health problems or autoimmune disorders are more prone to develop pneumonia than others. Individuals who are receiving chemotherapy or any other chemo drugs for suppressing the immunity may get this disease. People who are hospitalized for long periods or those who are on ventilator support have increased risk of developing pneumonia. The habit of smoking disturbs body’s immune system making one prone to develop many diseases.
Causes :
Microorganisms like bacteria and virus are the most important cause for pneumonia. Most of the time, our body will prevent these organisms from entering our lungs but when the immunity is weak due to certain health conditions or disease you are likely to develop infection.
Types :